Coach Tony Elliott’s weekly press conference was business as usual Tuesday. Most questions revolved around last weekend’s win over Washington State or player updates.
The same was not true for North Carolina and its six-time Super Bowl champion coach, Bill Belichick. While Belichick did receive ample questions about his upcoming Saturday matchup with No. 16 Virginia, there was also a flurry of questions about off-field drama. What happened to the planned season documentary? Why did his general manager take a fundraising trip to Saudi Arabia? Did the Tar Heels reject graduate quarterback Chandler Morris in the transfer portal?
This season, North Carolina has gotten loads of attention from national media — most of it being for the worse. After all, they sit at third-worst in the ACC and are 2-4 overall after a three-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers rank second in the ACC and have a realistic route to the ACC Championship game. Yet, for some reason, there has not been extensive national media fanfare for this football team. Virginia, despite sporting the ACC’s best scoring offense — which ranks No. 9 nationally — was omitted from this week’s ESPN’s College Football Playoff projections. Perhaps Elliott prefers to be the underdog. He did not want a dazzling celebration for his team reaching the six-win threshold for bowl game eligibility last weekend.
“I know that's something that they've been wanting, and we've been building and working towards,” Elliott said. “But, with the football team, we haven't talked about that, to be honest with you. We just focus on one week at a time, and now we're kind of in a little different situation. Now, we’re not sneaking up on anybody, right?”
Elliott has a valid point. His team has been ranked for four weeks in a row, a feat which the program has not accomplished since 2019. A team with a number before its name will inevitably have a target on its back.
This week, Virginia could be due for an offensive explosion, as they are receiving major reinforcement on the offensive line. Graduate center Brady Wilson, who missed the previous three games due to a calf injury, is returning to the starting lineup Saturday. When Wilson plays, Virginia averages 251.5 rushing yards per game. Without him, that number falls to 140.3. That fact has not seen the spotlight.
But what kind of game is Virginia walking into? Will the Cavaliers face a North Carolina team that has only scored more than 20 points in a game once all season, or the team that, under the leadership of Belichick — the greatest coach in NFL history — should be an ACC contender? Last week at California, the Tar Heel defense held their opponent to just seven points after the first quarter, so regardless of which version of the Tar Heels shows up, Elliott is not overlooking his opponent.
“Contrary to what reports may be saying in the media, that's a football team that's getting better, that has some good personnel, that was close to winning the game [at California] last week,” Elliott said.
But it is difficult to ignore the fact that, in their four games against Power Four teams, the Tar Heels have failed to score more than two touchdowns in a game. That bodes well for Virginia — especially after its defense forced three turnovers in last weekend’s victory. When the Cavalier defense gives the football back to the offense, it is difficult to beat a Virginia team that averages 40 points per game.
So, the question is — can the hot-topic Tar Heels upset high-powered Virginia?
“Just remember, [Belichick] is the greatest coach,” Elliott said. “I mean, he's won at the highest level, right?”
On paper, the Cavaliers have the upper hand. Despite playing on the road, they are favored by 10.5 points. But the game is not played on paper. The game is played on grass, in a conference where anything can happen on any given Saturday.
Read More
As ACC play begins, where does women’s basketball stand?
By Jordan Zimm , Sofie Keppler and Cierra Lyles | 3 days agoWith ACC play looming, three beat writers assess Virginia’s performance and prospects for the rest of the season.
Field hockey’s 2025-26 season was about the journey, not the destination
By Eleanor Buchanan | 5 days agoThe good news is that this young squad has the time and tenacity required to learn from this season’s mistakes.
Virginia women’s basketball has a new star, and she leads the way in a 76-50 victory
By Xander Tilock | 5 days ago“Really proud of our players,” Agugua-Hamilton said. “I thought that was a great team win.”
